Lot 97
Napoleon I (1769-1821) Partly-printed Document Signed "Bonaparte" as General in Chief, on "République Française" letterhead engraved "BONAPARTE, Général en Chef," 1 page, 12½ x 8 in (blank bottom 2½ in. are folded under), Headquarters at Cairo, 30th of Brumaire, Year 7 (November 20, 1798). To Citizen Poussielgue (1764-1845), Administrator of Finance for the French army in Egypt, telling him that Citizen Bracevich is appointed interpreter for the quartermaster general and that Poussielgue should make a report to Napoleon about the salary being given him. Light toning, else fine. The name "Bracevich" is probably Jewish. Although Napoleon had no interest personally in religion, he was an advocate of religious freedom as a political means to an end. France was a Catholic nation, but during a time of rampant and institutionalized discrimination, his Civil Code (1804) granted religious freedom to Jews, as well as Protestants. In 1806, Napoleon I convened a "Grand Sanhedrin" in Paris and in 1808 he organized the "Consistoire central des Israélites de France," which recognized Judaism and placed it under government control.
This document was signed during the unsuccessful Egyptian Campaign (1798-1801), which was intended as a first step toward India. Napoleon entered Cairo on July 25, 1798, but on August 1, the French fleet was defeated by Admiral Horatio Nelson at Aboukir Bay. Napoleon then invaded Syria, but was stopped by the British at Acre. Returning to Egypt, he defeated an Ottoman force at Aboukir, then left abruptly for France upon hearing of the formation of the Second Coalition and executed the coup d'état of 18 Brumaire (November 9, 1799), overthrowing the French Directory and establishing the French Consulate, with himself as First Consul.
Estimated Value $3,000 - 4,000.
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| Realized $3,525 |
